Berlin Global Dialogue at ESMT Berlin: “Advancing Alliances for the New Era” 

At a time when shared spaces for dialogue are shrinking and fragmentation is deepening, world leaders will gather at the fourth Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) from October 20–22, 2026, at ESMT Berlin in the heart of Berlin to explore how governments and companies can restore their capacity to act. The summit convenes under the theme “Advancing Alliances for the New Era,” reflecting a moment when the assumptions that shaped decades of global economic integration are being revised. Trade relationships that once seemed settled are contested. Technology has become a domain of sovereign competition. Traditional models of international cooperation are being fundamentally redefined. Against this backdrop, the summit will ask what kinds of alliances between governments and businesses are capable of producing effective responses. 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will attend the official opening of the BGD on October 21. Chancellor Merz said: “In a time of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, closer cooperation between governments and businesses is more critical than ever. Berlin Global Dialogue has become a key platform for international decision-makers. I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen partnerships and shape a resilient global economy together.” 

The conference will bring together a select group of political leaders, including Czech President Petr Pavel, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, as well as finance and economy ministers such as Katherina Reiche (Germany), Mohammed Aljadaan (Saudi Arabia), Piyush Goyal (India), Mehmet Şimşek (Turkey), and further government representatives. Senior business leaders attending include Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock; Ola Källenius, Chairman and CEO of Mercedes-Benz; and Bill Anderson, CEO, Bayer; alongside others from over 95 countries. The international event directly follows the first Invest in Germany Summit of the German federal government, also taking place at ESMT.   

Over two days, BGD 2026 will address the most essential ruptures shaping the global economy – from geopolitical shifts transforming the international order and technological advances to the clean energy transition and widening global inequalities. The conference sessions explore topics ranging from large-scale AI deployment and energy security to Europe's next growth model and the future of the global financial safety net.  

“The greatest risk today is not disagreement, but the loss of dialogue itself,” said Lars-Hendrik Röller, Founder and Chair of Berlin Global Dialogue. “We built Berlin Global Dialogue to foster the alliances that keep international cooperation possible, and we look forward to bringing that spirit back to Berlin this October.”  

Bank of America is returning as Principal Partner for the fourth consecutive year. “At a time when the global economy is becoming more complex, maintaining strong international partnerships is more important than ever,” said Bernard Mensah, President of International at Bank of America. “Berlin Global Dialogue brings together the perspectives of business and government to explore how we can strengthen economic resilience, unlock investment and create opportunities for growth. We’re proud to support that conversation for the fourth consecutive year.” 

Berlin Global Dialogue will livestream the event on YouTube:  

Day 1: Livestream link 
Day 2: Livestream link

About Berlin Global Dialogue  
Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) unites leaders from business, policy, and academia to develop joint solutions for the most pressing challenges impacting the global economy. Established in 2022, Berlin Global Dialogue emerged from the economic, political, and social realities of the twenty-first century as a new platform for a new era. Founded with the mission to strengthen the dialogue between different stakeholders, our annual summit convenes select high-level participants for candid exchanges in interactive formats that highlight diverse perspectives and facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration. Visit website  

About Lars-Hendrik Röller  
Lars-Hendrik Röller is the founder and chair of Berlin Global Dialogue and a professor of economics at ESMT Berlin. He previously served as chief economic advisor to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and G7 and G20 Sherpa. Prior to that, Röller was the president of ESMT and chief competition economist at the European Commission. Throughout his academic career, he taught at INSEAD, New York University, Stanford University, and the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.